“I don’t believe it. If I can’t grab it, I’ll just live here today!”
Wanmie hugged the huge bucket of coins and sat in front of the Claw Machine.
Her imposing stance attracted curious onlookers.
After all, someone like Wanmie, carrying an entire bucket to play the Claw Machine, was almost unheard of.
“Onee-chan, why don’t I give it a try?”
Shinomiya said softly.
Wanmie gave up her seat and reminded her, “Shinomiya, you have to make the claw grab the doll’s waist. If you clamp anywhere else, it’ll definitely fall.”
This was the conclusion Wanmie had drawn after using half a bucket of coins, but it was useless.
Though she had almost succeeded several times, the doll always fell at the most critical moment.
Shinomiya nodded to show she understood.
Then, imitating Wanmie’s manner, she inserted a coin and aimed the claw at the rabbit doll she fancied.
The next second, the claw descended.
Even though Shinomiya had aimed carefully, perhaps because it was her first time playing, she wasn’t skilled.
The claw landed next to the doll, grabbing nothing but air.
Shinomiya frowned slightly.
Wanmie hurriedly comforted her, “It’s fine, I still have plenty of coins. Take your time and play.”
However, in the next second, an unbelievable scene unfolded.
Although the claw had grabbed nothing, as it rose, one hook caught the rabbit doll’s tag and lifted the doll up with it.
That wasn’t all.
When Wanmie played, this claw seemed like it hadn’t eaten for three days—just a slight lift and the doll would drop.
But this time, the claw firmly hooked the tag and brought the doll out entirely.
This…
Wanmie’s mouth twitched.
Wasn’t this luck a bit too much?
She had tried over a hundred times without success, but Shinomiya succeeded on her very first attempt—and in such a bizarre way.
“This… doesn’t seem that hard?”
Shinomiya smiled, holding the rabbit doll, and spoke to Wanmie.
This little one, is she not deliberately mocking me?
“Maybe… it’s just coincidence?”
After all, the odds of picking up a doll by the tag were too low.
Other than calling it luck, Wanmie couldn’t think of another reason.
However, Shinomiya’s next performance gave Wanmie a heavy blow.
As Shinomiya became more proficient, the claw seemed to become her third hand.
Wherever she aimed, she hit, grabbing dolls with perfect accuracy.
Before they knew it, the dolls around them had piled into a small mountain.
Shinomiya was on the verge of emptying the Claw Machine.
Why was the difference between people so vast?
Wanmie couldn’t understand.
Why had she tried over a hundred times with nothing to show for it, while Shinomiya, with just a few dozen coins, nearly emptied the machine?
Could the shop owner be a lolicon too, secretly changing the machine settings after seeing Shinomiya play?
But Wanmie’s speculation was quickly overturned.
Before long, the game hall manager personally stepped in to stop Shinomiya.
Although Wanmie had spent quite a lot, one coin per doll wasn’t expensive.
With Shinomiya winning one doll per coin, the manager would eventually lose money.
In the end, the manager refunded the remaining coins to Wanmie, gifted them a few small presents, and sent them away.
Outside the game hall, Shinomiya hugged the two-palm-sized rabbit doll, looking satisfied.
It was clear she had enjoyed herself.
Behind her, Wanmie carried a large bag of clothes in one hand and a pile of dolls in the other, appearing somewhat disheveled.
But seeing Shinomiya so happy, she felt no complaints.
If only a four-dimensional pocket would appear now, that would be perfect…
“Onee-chan, let me help you carry some?”
As they walked through the mall, Shinomiya suddenly asked.
Wanmie had played with her all afternoon, showing her many things she’d never even imagined before.
But during that time, Wanmie had quietly followed her, paying and carrying items without a word of complaint.
Shinomiya felt a bit guilty.
Wanmie wasn’t someone who couldn’t read the atmosphere.
Seeing the light shining in Shinomiya’s eyes, she handed over the bag of clothes.
“Then let’s each carry one bag.”
“Mm!”
Shinomiya took the bag without hesitation, held Wanmie’s hand, and they walked home together.
At a corner of the mall, Wanmie suddenly stopped without warning.
Shinomiya, who was following behind, crashed right into her.
“S-sorry, Onee-chan…”
Shinomiya apologized quickly.
But when she looked up, she saw Wanmie’s face had grown serious.
She stared ahead, her cold and beautiful expression radiating a chilling aura.
It was enough to make people keep their distance.
Shinomiya followed Wanmie’s gaze.
When she saw the white-haired figure, her heart seemed to stop, and her sapphire-like eyes filled with fear.
Standing before them were Shiori, Origami, and Tohka.
At that moment, Shiori had been dressed by the other two in a fresh, light blue dress, completely embodying the image of a neighbor’s little sister.
If it had been earlier, Wanmie would have teased her and snapped a commemorative photo.
But right now, she had no such mood.
“Abysm and Hermit, why are you here?”
Origami stared intensely at Wanmie and Shinomiya, instinctively shielding Shiori behind her.
Shiori’s brow furrowed.
He never expected to encounter Wanmie and Shinomiya here.
What terrible timing for such a coincidence.
Although this mall wasn’t far from the Spacequake shelter, if Origami and Wanmie or Shinomiya clashed, causing their Spirit Power to go out of control, a Spacequake could break out instantly!
If that happened, the casualties would be massive.
“Shidou, stop Origami, don’t let her attack Abysm and Hermit!”
From the invisible earpiece came Kotori’s voice.
Shiori nodded and replied quietly, “I’ll try.”
He understood Origami’s hatred for Spirits.
If she lost control, he might not be able to stop her.
“Origami, don’t act rashly!”
Shiori placed a hand on Origami’s shoulder.
But the next second, she glared at him.
“Shidou, don’t interfere. Go, this place is dangerous!”
With two Spirits appearing in a crowded area, this situation was extremely troublesome.
They needed to evacuate everyone immediately!
Origami watched Wanmie and Shinomiya’s every move, secretly pulling out her phone to contact the AST.
In any case, she had to trigger the Spacequake Alarm and evacuate everyone, or the consequences would be unthinkable!